swain



(No Model.)

P. F-. SWAIN.

I CRANK PIN LUBRIOATOR.

No. 313.964. Patented Marrl7, 1885.

ATTORNEY.

ilarre STATES FRED F. SWAIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONEHALF TO GEORGE W. TILTON, OF SAME PLACE.

CRANK-PJN LUBRICATOR.

EPEC'IPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,964, dated March 1'7, 1885, Application filed December 1, 18 4. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, FREDF. SWAIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, 5 have invented or discoveredcertain new and useful Improvements in Cra1ikPin Lubricators, of which improvements the following is a specification.

1n the accompanying drawings, which make IO partof this specification, Figure 1 is a vertical central section through a lubricator embodying my invention applied to the stub end of a connecting-rod, showing a longitudinal section through the strap and brass, and a transverse section through the crank-pin; Fig. 2 a similar section taken at right angles to Fig. 1, with the strap in transverse section and the pin and brass in elevation; and Fig. 3, a horizontal section at the line a a: of Fig. 1.

My invention relates to lubricators of the class in which a block of solidified lubricating material is applied at one end to the periphery of a journal-0r crank-pin, and acts to eifect the lubrication thereof by the wear and liquefaction of its lubricating end thereon.

The object of my invention is to provide convenient and effective means for maintaining the lubricating-block continuously in contact with the periphery of a rotating crankpin, so as to prevent its displacement there from by the movements of the connecting-rod and insure its regular and uniform feed as it is gradually worn away by its frictional contact with the pin. v

5 The improvements claimed are hereinafter fully set forth.

In the practice of my invention I provide a cup or case, 1, preferably of cylindrical form, and having a flange or flanges, 2, on its lower 0 end for the reception of studs 3, engaging the strap 4 of a connecting-rod on the longitudinal center line thereof, said strap serving to hold the brasses 5 in position upon the crank or wrist pin 6 in the usual manner.

3 hold the cup firmly in position, with the capacity of ready removal and replacement, and without weakening the strap to any material degree, as is liable to be the case with lubricating-cups which are screwed into the straps in the ordinary manner. A central opening is formed in the bottom of the cup 1 for the reception of a feed-cylinder, 7, which is en- The studs 1 larged upon its periphery at its upper end to engage, by an external screw-thread, a correspending femalethread on theinsideofthe cup,

thereby providing a space, 8, between the cup and feedcylinder, which forms a non-conducting air-jacket surrounding the lubricatingblock and protecting the same from the action of heat. An opening'of corresponding diame- 6Q ter to the bore of the feed-cylinder is formed in' line axially therewith in the strap 4 and brasses 5, said opening extending to the surface of the crank-pin 6, and serving, in connection with the feed-cylinder, as achamber or receptacle for a block or stick, 9, of solidified lubricating material, of such character as to remain in a solid state at ordinary temperatures, and to become gradually liquefied and worn away by the friction of the crank-pin upon its lower end, which is in contact therewith. A piston, 10, fitting neatly in the feed-cylinder 7, is adapted to rest therein on the top of the lubricating-block 9, and an indicator-rod, 11, secured to said piston, passes through along bearing, 13, formed upon a cap, 12, which is secured to and closes the top of the feed-cylinder 7. The space within the feed-cylinder above the piston, and between its top and the cap 12, constitutes an air-cushion chamber, which may either be provided with a very slight vent, or the tendency to form a vacuum in said chamber by the downward movement of the piston as the lubricating-block becomes worn'away in use may be counteracted by the 8 5 slight leakage of air due to the ordinary fitting of the screw-joint between the cap and cylinder. The degree of projection of the indicating-rod 11 above the cap enables the amount of wear of the lubricating-block to be 0 accurately determined at all times, so that a new block may be seasonably inserted, as required.

In operation the piston will be caused to descend in the cylinder with the lubricatingblock as the latter wears off at its lower end by the jarring action of the swing of the rod continuously acting as a movable partition between the ai r-cushion and lubricating-chambers, and the resistance of the air in the former will prevent the block from being jarred to and fro in the feed-cylinder or thrown out of contact with the crank-pin 6 in the move ments of the connecting-rod.

I closely through a long I do not broadly claim the employment of an air-cushion chamber and piston, the same being set forth in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 302,052, granted and issued to me under date of July 15, 1884. My present invention differs substantially from that of said Letters Patent in the particular that, obviating the necessity of a movable cartridgecase, to be Worn away in use, it provides a chamber for the reception and support of the lubricating-block during its progressive feeding, such chamber extending continuously from a movable partition separating it from an aircushion chamber to the surface of the pin to be lubricated, and being inclosed Within a protecting air-jacket.

I claim herein as my invention 1. Ajournal or cranl -pin lubricating mechanism having. in combination, a feed-cylinder adapted for the reception and forward feeding of a solid column of lubricant, a prolongation of the bore of said cylinder of similar diameter through the strap or box and brasses to the surface of the journal or crank-pin, a piston working in said cylinder and bore, and through practically the entire length of both, a sligl1tly-vented cap closing the outer end of said cylinder, and an indicator-rod playing bearing in said cap,

substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a cup or case, a feedcylinder secured therein, and adapted to receive and form the inclosing-Wall of a block of solidified lubricating material inserted in its lower end, a piston fitting said cylinder, and a slightly-vented cap closing the upper end of said cylinder, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a cup or case, a feedcylinder secured therein, aslightly-vented cap closing one end of said cylinder, and a piston fitting in said cylinder and acting as a movable partition between an air-cushion chamber at and adjoining its closed end and a lubricating-chamber at and adjoining its open end, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a connecting-rod strap having a passage on its top leading from its outer to its inner side, a lubricating cup .or case having an internal feed-cylinder corresponding in diameter and direction with said passage, and studs passing through lugs on the cup in line longitudinally of the strap and engaging threaded sockets therein, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a cup or case, a feed cylinder secured therein and forming the' inner wall of an air-jacket space, a piston fit ting said cylinder, a cap provided with a long central bearing and closing the upper end of the cylinder, and an indicator-rod secured to the piston and passing through the bearing of thecap, substantially as set forth.

.In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRED F. SWAIN.

WVitnesses:

R. H. WHITTLESEY, J. SNOWDEN BELL. 

